…it’s always something…

I’m heading for Florida. No, not because we had 11″ of snow last night and I had to spend almost 3 hours shoveling it. Heck, I love to shovel snow. I even really, really like the cold. And the snow. My trip to Florida isn’t for the weather.

My daddy is almost 82 years old. Although he smokes and likes his evening cocktail, he’s always done all things in moderation. Living to 82 is no small feat. But his health has been deteriorating over the past six months. I saw him for a few days at Christmas, and he wasn’t getting around well at that point. Since then he’s been hospitalized four times. He’s become small and frail. He’s at the point where he can no longer live alone.

Of the seven kids, I’m the one who’s got the most time flexibility right now. My brother David (the one in Rotterdam) will be coming to stay with Daddy for a few months, but can’t make it until sometime in early-ish March. So I’m going.

Even as I look at my father and remember him younger, capable, always in motion, and see what the years have eroded away, I’m made aware of the passing of my own years, of time’s toll on my body, most especially. Hope I die before I get old. Rust never sleeps. No one gets out alive. My generation had so many slick mots for aging, but none of us ever thought we’d get old. Did you see the Superbowl halftime show? Two old codgers rockers…Roger Daltrey, almost 66 years old, Pete Townsend, nearing 65. Words fail me.

So, I’m off to see the first most important man in my life, and try to help him in any way I can, with whatsoever he needs. My shop will be closed for that time, so I might even eke out a post or two…who knows what might happen if I’m not outside shoveling snow, right?

Hi! I guess in this case it turns out to be a good thing that you can get away for a time and visit/help your dad. Those of us in your yarn fan club will miss your rainbows while you are gone, but we will be thinking of you and praying for you both. My mom lives about 700 miles away from me and is having lots of memory trouble; I don’t get to see her very often and I am always wondering if she has forgotten me yet. Hope you have some good times on your visit.